MAD for 1960s Inspired Fashions

Ladylike day dresses. Glamorous evening gowns. Smart and preppy pant and sweater ensembles. Vintage shoes. Costume jewelry. And oh, those yummy hair and makeup looks! The 1960s have been a major influence on fashion for the past few years... due to classic films, new television programs, books and blockbuster movies. It's an era that I was never fond of until the past few years, mostly because I had only seen 60s fashion from the pages of a few fashion history books, and they focused on the most bizarre trends, trapeze dresses, and Twiggy. The reality was that a great many women were still dressing a lot like they had in the previous decade, and comfortable with having a figure like Marilyn Monroe.

Now that I've seen a bit more of what women actually were wearing in the 60s, rather than just looking at fashion plates and advertisements from that decade, I absolutely love the styles. It's such an interesting time period, and a great mesh of the classic femininity of the past and the more edgy and futuristic looks that were coming into fashion.

These photos are from Banana Republic's official Mad Men collection, set to coincide with the start of the newest season of the popular television show. (A disclaimer here: I have not seen the show, and from what I have heard about it, it's not one that I would watch or recommend. That said, the costumes are pretty fabulous.) The designs in this new collection are classic, clearly 60s-inspired, and yet modern enough to look fresh and contemporary in the 21st century.

Anything from this collection can look either vintage or modern, depending on what the pieces are paired with, and how you finish off your ensemble. It's all in the shoes and accessories!

My favorite items are the sleek and sophisticated sheath dresses. They've become wildly popular over the past few years (thanks, Kate Middleton, for your contribution! ;) and are so ladylike and classy. I think they are the perfect look for a special occasion... particularly if you are attending a summer wedding!

I am also a big fan of the dainty cardigans, which are so versatile, and don't necessarily have to look "girly." And those brightly colored (or stark white) "cigarette pants" are just so, so timeless and chic. They remind me of Audrey Hepburn, and Mary Tyler Moore.

What do you think about the resurgence of 1960s fashions? Any styles you particularly love, or can't stand?

Does anybody else have some pretty cap toe flats on their wish list???

-Amanda

Images: Entertainista

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Rose Colored Glasses

The internet is a strange thing these days.

With the help of dozens of social-networking websites, we can now broadcast ourselves and our personal lives all around the world. This can be a good thing, at times. Now our friends and relatives can see the recent family photos, hear the latest news, and visit with the new grand-baby via video chat.

Then, of course, there are downsides. Sometimes we share things from our personal lives that we shouldn't. We know, but don't realize how many people will see what we have said. We create embarrassing situations for ourselves. Sometimes we wish that we could take those words back.

If only we stopped to think before we officially "published" some things on the internet.

Over the past ten years, while I've been working on various publications, blogs, and social-networking sites, my mother has warned me again and again to be wary of posting negative things on the internet. We both have read one too many "rants," and, when people are always talking about how depressing their lives are, it gets old pretty fast. Really, we'd rather hear about your personal troubles over coffee than through the cold, insensitive internet.

So I've been careful. I try to think twice before I post (and check for typos!). And yes, there have been some things I've written online that I regret. There have been times when I've been too emotional, and said too much. But I've tried to keep things positive, so people don't have to roll their eyes at me every other status update. And I think my mother is fairly satisfied. ;)

But recently, I've noticed a trend that has struck me as equally disturbing as the "bare your soul and tell everyone what a mess your life is" statuses I've seen for years. This new trend is not an obvious problem. It seems nice, squeaky clean, and like something every good girl should emulate.

But here's the danger. People's lives are starting to sound perfect.

For example: (These are not real statuses, for the record!)

• "Curled up by the fire with a pumpkin spice latte and a brand new book!"
• "Making chocolate creme pie in the kitchen while my adorable and so well behaved children sing along to Josh Groban in perfect Italian."
• "Just spent three hours shopping! Now I've got five new pairs of shoes." 
• "Tanning on the beach with all of my best friends from college and look how gorgeous we are in this Instagram photo!" 

You've probably seen something along those lines. You know what I mean. ;)

While there is nothing "wrong" with any of these statuses, when these become the only thing that a particular person ever posts, their life starts to sound like one super fun, incredibly amazing, free-of-all-care carousel ride. It starts to sound perfect.

And, by comparison, our "real" lives, which include the nitty gritty as well as the pretty, start to feel so very imperfect.

Apparently, there is more than one study out there that shows that Facebook can cause depression in teens (or anyone, really). This is because we watch the lives of our friends and relatives through a filter, seeing only what they choose to share with us. And when we're reading dozens of awesome status updates, and seeing all the beautiful photos from vacation, our lives can seem dull by comparison. We feel like we don't measure up, that our lives are boring or depressing, and maybe we wish that we were someone else.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing bad about a cheerful status update. And I still believe there is lots of wisdom in my mother's reminders not to post my tumultuous emotions all over the internet. (As she truly states, it's not everyone's business to know each little thing going on in our lives. ;)

But I want to see some reality. I want to hear some honesty. I want people to know that my life is not perfect, that there are days when the sun seems to have disappeared, and that I have had a rough week (or month, or year).

I do love to hear about the happy things going on in other people's lives. I am also encouraged when I hear about their struggles, life's challenges, and how God is still good, no matter what. There obviously there has to be some balance, so that our Twitter statuses don't all dip to one extreme or another.

I don't know how well I've done in keeping the balance. I know that I would love to be a positive person, who is cheerful and encouraging. I also know that I am incredibly weak, quick to complain, and often drag others down along with me. But I want to be honest about how much I need a Saviour. I want to walk in the light, instead of trying to hide my imperfections. I want to be real.

I don't want you to look at me through rose colored glasses.

-Amanda

Image: Tree Among Mist Print

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Katie Ermilio Spring 2012

Spring is just around the corner, and for those of us in New England, it's been a dreadful tease. Earlier this week the temperature went up to seventy degrees, and even at its chillier times, the weather has been well above average for the month of March.

So, lots of spring-y fashion has been dancing in the back of my mind. And none lovelier than these looks from Katie Ermilio, photographed by Jamie Beck. The collection is sweet and ladylike, and both the model and the photography capture that very pretty and feminine spirit.

Here's a few favorites...

 

I didn't think these needed much of a description, but I'd love your opinion. Do you enjoy big doses of eye candy without accompanying text? I'd like to know! Also, what do you think of this collection, and which look is your favorite?

You can see more of Jamie Beck's high resolution photos at her photography blog, or browse the entire collection at Katie Ermilio.

Have a lovely rest of the week!

-Amanda

Images: Jamie Beck for Katie Ermilio

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A bit of randomness...

So, I've got a few random things I'd like to share with you today. The first is a tag from the lovely Rachel Hope, which I am finally re-posting. I haven't been tagged in a while (probably since I am terrible at responding), but I wanted to follow up on this one.

I'd love to obey the rules exactly, but I'm short on time. So I just decided to answer the questions that Rachel gave me... and if you'd like to participate, you can go over to the original post and read the details for yourself. Pretend that I tagged you. :)

1. Who is your favorite author?

The first author I remember deciding was "the best" is Louisa May Alcott. She is still on my list, and my personal favorite of her books is An Old Fashioned Girl.

2. Do you have a favorite country that you dream of visiting, and if you do what is it?

I've already had the opportunity to visit the country I'd dreamed about, spending six amazing days in London, England. I would definitely like to go back, enjoy London again, and see some of the countryside. In the future, I plan on visiting as much of Europe as possible, especially Ireland and France.

 3. Do you prefer skirts or jeans?

They are both so perfect for different things that it's hard to say. Jeans are great for everyday, or for dressing up, if they are a really nice pair... with the right shoes, top, and accessories. But I guess I'd have to go with skirts/dresses, simply for the "wow" factor you can get with an amazing ensemble.

 4. Do you have a favorite genre of music?

I like a lot of very different types of music, but I'd have to say my favorite genre is the big band/swing/oldies from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford, Helen Forrest, et cetera...

5. Do you prefer tea, coffee or cocoa, or none on these?

Chai Lattes are the best. I would drink them morning and evening if it was in my budget. ;) (Trader Joe's Spicy Chai Latte mix is amazing.)

6. If you inherited tons of cash what would be the first thing you would do?

I'd save and invest as much as possible, and see how far I could make it go. And then, if there was some extra after determining all the practical uses, I'd jump on a plane for Europe. :)

 7. Do you have a fashion icon and if so who?

I know everyone says this, but Audrey Hepburn is really inspirational. It was so much more than just the way she dressed. She was an expression of true beauty and a radiant spirit. Read Audrey Style for an incredible and respectful look at her life, and what made her such an enduring icon.

 8. What is your dream job?

I've wanted the same two dream jobs for my entire life. One is to sing, and have the privilege of entertaining people. The other is to write fiction, and have the privilege of entertaining people. I've been able to do quite a bit of both over the years, and find them the most special and fulfilling jobs ever. I really hope I can continue to do both in some way, shape, or form for the rest of my life.

9. Do you have a favorite book and film adaption?

Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. The novels are not my favorite books in the world, but Lucy Maud Montgomery is one of my top authors and I've always felt a closer connection with "Anne Shirley" (in both the books and the films) than any other literary or film character. The movies have been my favorites since I was about eight years old.

10. If you could rewrite one classic novel which one would it be?

Actually, a long time ago, I spent 3 1/2 years re-writing The Phantom of the Opera. I'm not particularly proud of that piece of work (as it wasn't completely original), but the fact that my mom and sister couldn't stop turning pages was rather gratifying. ;)

11. What is your idea of a perfect day?

One with 48+ hours in it!!!

But if it had to be 24 hours, I'd like to wake up at seven o'clock (without an alarm, feeling refreshed) drink chai tea, listen to classical music and leisurely catch up on my housework and computer-related stuff. Then I'd write for about two hours, have a late breakfast and maybe go for a walk or something. In the afternoon I'd blog or work on random projects, and then dress for dinner and go out to see a musical, after having supper with family or friends. And then I'd like to come home feeling warm, fuzzy and inspired, and stay up until midnight recording music in the basement. And then sleep soundly (with awesome dreams) and somehow manage to wake up and do it again the next day. (Oh and make enough from the writing and music endeavors to live on.) That's it. ;)

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Moving on to blog news, here's a little update on my new Tumblr blog! I decided to go with the name "The Daily Lovely," which really just seemed to fit. Thanks so much to everyone who commented, shared their favorites, and gave new suggestions. I appreciated the enthusiasm... it was catching! :)

So feel free to skip over to The Daily Lovely for a daily dose of pretty things. There will be lots of St. Patrick's Day inspiration posted over the next week.

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Also, I finally went and organized the Monthly Fashion Archives from 2010, so you can now browse a list of the posts and view them at your leisure. And now I know I need to tackle 2011 (whew!). Thanks so much for your patience, and for reading the archives. There's a lot of fun stuff buried in there that I think is worth revisiting. ;)

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend, and I'll see you soon...

-Amanda

Image: lovisa ranta on flickr

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And the winner of the Shabby Apple "Biacami" dress is...

... Elenatintil! Random.org chose 80 as the number for today (we had exactly 260 entries - the most in any AmandaBeth giveaway thus far!). In her entry, Elenatintil wrote:

"If I won the dress, I'd wear it with my white eyelet lace scarf and matching heels. (I do have heels that look like they're made out of eyelet lace!) I might also add a narrow white belt. Red lipstick is a must!"

Congratulations! Sounds like a lovely ensemble! :) I'll be emailing you shortly with information on receiving your dress!

Thank you to everyone who entered! I hope you'll stay fans of Shabby Apple for a long time... and who knows? Maybe there will be another chance to win one of their dresses in the future. :)

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Mine was busy, busy, busy, with performances of the musical "Annie," in which I played Grace. It was a fantastic experience and, while it's nice to be back to normal things, I am definitely missing the fun of working with so many wonderful and talented people... and getting to wear pretty vintage gowns onstage. ;)
Have a restful week!

-Amanda

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